sheer idea of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sheer idea of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize the concept or notion of something, often highlighting its simplicity or intensity. Example: "The sheer idea of traveling to distant galaxies excites many scientists and dreamers alike."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

"I'm not terrified by the sheer idea of drones," says Van Houtryve.

The Guardian - Arts

It seemed that our colleagues were upset by the sheer idea of taking bottled water seriously.

European Journal of Futures Research

But this sheer idea of having this possibility of an EAD is what drove me.

Huffington Post

Phillip Hammond, half-hard in the gauzy early AM sun, alone in the bathroom mirror, tumescent at the sheer idea of stealing milk from nursery children.

Vice

The sheer idea of a superstar ventriloquist pulling in an estimated 30 million dollars of personal income during the economy of the past year, and at the current stage of our cultural history, can appear literally unbelievable.

Huffington Post

That, Is itselfantasyuithean exhausheer idea.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

This is an "interesting" and "worthy" idea, Gunn admitted, but questioned if it should "come before notions of intellectual and artistic priority … and the sheer, apolitical idea of 'art for arts' sake'".

The Guardian - Books

The idea of sheer copiousness is an implicit part of Documenta 11.

The Guardian

The sheer preposterousness of the idea of a woman's giving birth to a sprig of myrtle is typical of the naive tale.

The Guardian - Books

But the battle against entrenched tradition would not be possible, he said, were it not for the sheer logic of the idea of denuding legal prose of numbers.

The New York Times

Sheer frustration finally put the idea of a takeover into my head.

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sheer idea of" to emphasize the fundamental or surprising nature of a concept. It works well when highlighting something that is simultaneously simple and impactful.

Common error

Avoid using "sheer" too frequently in your writing. While it can add emphasis, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive and less impactful. Choose the instances where you want to create a strong emphasis.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sheer idea of" functions as a noun phrase, where "sheer" acts as an intensifier modifying the noun "idea". It emphasizes the fundamental or surprising nature of a concept. Ludwig AI confirms that this structure is grammatically sound and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

83%

Science

8%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sheer idea of" is a grammatically correct phrase used to emphasize the fundamental or surprising nature of a concept. Ludwig's analysis of numerous examples shows its prevalence in news and media sources, indicating a neutral register. While not overly common, it's a valuable tool for stressing a point. Remember to use it judiciously to avoid repetitiveness, and consider related phrases like "mere thought of" for variation. Overall, it’s deemed usable in written English, as highlighted by Ludwig AI.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mere thought of

Replaces "idea" with "thought", focusing on the mental process involved.

very notion of

Substitutes "idea" with "notion", which can imply a slightly more abstract or conceptual understanding.

simple concept of

Replaces "sheer idea" with "simple concept", focusing on the uncomplicated nature of the idea.

pure concept of

Highlights the unadulterated or basic understanding of the idea.

sheer thought of

Swaps "idea" with "thought", shifting focus to the mental aspect of the concept.

bare idea of

Emphasizes the basic or minimal nature of the idea.

mere concept of

Uses "concept" instead of "idea", suggesting a more abstract level of understanding and replacing "sheer" with "mere" suggesting a minimal or basic level.

raw idea of

Implies the idea is in its original or unprocessed form.

basic understanding of

Shifts the focus to the comprehension of the idea, rather than the idea itself.

fundamental concept of

Replaces "idea" with "concept", which implies a higher level of abstraction, and "sheer" with "fundamental", which stresses on how basic or important the idea/concept is.

FAQs

How can I use "sheer idea of" in a sentence?

Use "sheer idea of" to emphasize the basic or surprising nature of a concept. For example, "The "sheer idea of" living on Mars excites scientists."

What phrases are similar to "sheer idea of"?

Similar phrases include "mere thought of", "simple concept of", or "very notion of", each adding a slightly different nuance to the emphasis.

Is "sheer idea of" formal or informal?

"Sheer idea of" is appropriate for both formal and informal contexts, though it is more common in news and media. Choose alternatives like "fundamental concept of" for more formal writing.

When should I avoid using "sheer idea of"?

Avoid using "sheer idea of" if you want to downplay a concept's importance or when the context requires a more nuanced description. In those cases, consider using more neutral alternatives.